QoS prediction for mobile satellite broadcasting with angle diversity based on measurements

To meet the high quality of service requirements for mobile satellite applications, diversity combining techniques are used to mitigate fading effects in the satellite propagation channel. In this paper the performance of multi-satellite diversity (or angle diversity) in combination with time diversity is presented. The achievable diversity gain depends on the environmental conditions, the satellite elevation and the angular separation of the satellites. To assess the performance of multi-satellite systems, high-power broadcasting signals in the S-band from HEO and GEO satellites of the Sirius XM Radio system were recorded simultaneously along the east coast of the USA. Based on the measured signal power levels, the ESR(5) fulfillment criteria are predicted for various configurations incorporating different margins, time interleaver lengths, and satellite constellations. The results are presented for six different environments: urban, suburban, commercial, forest, intermediate tree shadowed, and highway.